Combination radiator enclosure and humidifier



H. M. SCHICK I Oct. 5, 1937.

COMBINATION RADIATOR ENCLOSURE AND HUMIDIFIER Filed Dec. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -INVENTOR ATTORNEY llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll |nl|lull |||\\I|\\\\\\-|||| Och 7- H. M. SCHICK 2,094,905

COMBINATION RADIATOR ENCLOSURE AND HUMIDIFIER Filed Dec. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llml l mg: I

1 nl III I Ill- Ill "-1 VIII-1" Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATE COMBINATION RADIATOR ENCLOSURE AND HUlWIDMIFIER Herbert M. Schick, San Mateo, Calif.

Application December 16, 1935, Serial No. 54,621

t Claims.

' This invention relates to a combination radiator enclosure and humidifier.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved radiator enclosure having novel means embodied therein for humidifying the air which passes through it.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved humidifier for use with heating equipment which is made from porousclay or other similar material.

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointedout hereinafter, indicated in the appended claims, or obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of a combined radiator enclosure and humidifier construction representative of my invention; it is to be understood, however, that these are presented here for purposes of illustration only, and that therefore they are not to be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of the invention, nor are they to be given any interpretation such as might have the effect of limiting the claims, short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an improved radiator enclosure constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the humidifier illustrated as a part of the combination shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front view of a modified form of humidifier embodying my invention; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals I and 2 designate the side and end walls, respectively, of an enclosure which is suitably shaped and dimensioned to enclose a radiator or other type of heating unit. The enclosure is provided with a detachable top 3 having a number of openings for the passage of air therethrough. Either or both of the side walls I of the enclosure, at points near its upper end, is also provided with a number of openings for the passage of air currents from within. Either or both of the end Walls 2, or if so desired the side walls also, at points near its lower end, is provided with one or more air inlet openings 4. Extending horizontally across the interior of the enclosure and secured to the I side and end walls of the latter as by angle irons 5, is a screen 5 which is intended to filter the air passing upwardly through it.

Suitably supported within the enclosure near the air inlet opening A by means of a bracket I, is an electric fan 8 which is adapted to cause a forced circulation of air in an upward direction through the said enclosure. A bafile plate 9 extending froman end wall of the enclosure above the fan is intended to direct upwardly moving currents of air entering the inlet 5 toward the central part of the said enclosure.

Extending through the inlet 4 is a hot water or steam carrying pipe it! which is connected at a point above the screen B to one end of a radiator I I. The pipe It is provided with a suitable hand operated control valve I2 which is located preferably at a point just outside the enclosure. The opposite end of the radiator is connected to an outlet pipe i3 leading back to the source supplying the hot Water or steam. The pipe I9 is also connected by an upwardly disposed extension pipe I4 to one end of a humidifier I5. A control valve I6 connected to the extension pipe I4 is automatically operated to control the flow of water or steam to the humidifier by a suitable electrically operated humidity control device H.

The humidifier is suitably supported above the radiator I I in a postion to intercept the upwardly moving currents of warm air passing through the upper part of the enclosure. The humidifier I5 is provided with a longitudinal opening I8 forming a reservoir into which water or moisture supplied by the pipes It and It may enter. The humidifier is made preferably from a rigid porous composition which allows moisture to slowly proceed therethrough. I have found that a composition made from porous clay or other suitable earthen material is particularly well adapted for use in manufacturing humidifiers in accordance with my invention. The humidifier is preferably formed with vertical and horizontally disposed parts IEa and I51), and also with connecting fins I50, all of which are designed to present a large moistened surface with which the upwardly moving warm air may contact. The Water or moisture located in the opening I8 slowly proceeds to the outer surfaces of the parts I5a, !5b and I50, and the dry warm air passing upwardly around the radiator I I, takes up the water or moisture located at the said surfaces and distributes it throughout the surrounding air in the room within which the apparatus is located.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, my invention may embody a construction in which a humidifier I9 is provided with an open top. The humidifier in this particular form is open at its'top side and is provided with an arcuate shaped underneath side 20 having a plurality of fins 2| projecting therefrom.

It is to be understood that humidifiers of the type embodying my invention may be satisfac-' torily used in association with hot air furnaces or other types of heating apparatus in the same manner as they are used with radiators. 7

Having described my invention, what I claim is: 1. In heating apparatus, an enclosure having air inlet and outlet openings at opposite ends, a heating element in the enclosure, means for delivering hot water or steam to the heating unit, means for creating an air current in the enclosure, a humidifiermade from earthen material positioned in the enclosure above the heating element and in the path of the air current,

means for delivering, heated Water or steam to] the humidifier and the heating element.

3. In heating apparatus, an enclosure having air inlet and air outlet openings therein, a heating element positioned in the enclosure between the inlet and outlet openings, an earthen humidifier positioned in the enclosure between the heat ing element and-the air outlet openings, the said humidifier having a top horizontal side, a vertical side and a plurality of connecting fins, the

said humidifier also having a longitudinal passageway therethrough for the passage of a liquid or steam, and common means for delivering heated Water or steam to the heating element and the humidifier.

, 4. In heating apparatus, an enclosure having 15 air inlet and air outlet openings therein, a heating element positioned in the enclosure, a porous humidifier located in the enclosure, the said humidifier having an enclosed passageway extending longitudinally therethrough for the passage of a liquid or steam therethrough, the said, humidifier also having a series of outwardly disposed porous members for presenting a large moistened surface to the surrounding air heated 5 by the heating element, means for delivering steam or water to the humidifier, and means actuated by the humidity of the air surrounding the enclosure for controlling the w of steam or water to the humidifier. i

HERBERT M. SCHICK. 

